RICKY HATTON’S exhibition fight with fellow legend Marco Antonio Barrera is an exercise in mental strength and nostalgia and nothing to do with a serious comeback.
Alarm bells have to ring when a 44-year-old grandfather announces a fight, ten years after his last one ended in a second consecutive defeat.
But the former two-weight world champ and Manchester icon has explained how a gruelling training regime, four-stone weight loss and chance to walk out at his local arena on Saturday has hugely improved his life – not threatened it.
The Hitman is in such a good mental space he has even treated himself to the occasional pint in the build-up and even stayed on track over a family holiday where he would usually go OTT.
“I’ve been having a few Guinness here and there,” he said with the trademark smile fans fell in love with. “Because I’ve been able to keep on top of it.